Water main break forces partial evacuation of Mystic nursing home

Mystic — A broken sprinkler pipe at Mystic Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center leaked hundreds of gallons of water into one wing of the nursing home Sunday night, forcing the evacuation of 25 residents, about a quarter of the center’s population.

Old Mystic Fire Chief Ken Richards Jr. said 10 local ambulances would be used to transfer residents to other nursing homes in the region.

Residents at the High Street nursing home were moved to other parts of the building while awaiting the ambulances’ arrivals. The majority of the residents in the wing are not able to walk under their own power, Richards said.

Richards said no one was injured in the incident, which left about 3 inches of water throughout the “C wing.” Upon arrival, firefighters immediately turned off the sprinkler system and began the time-consuming task of vacuuming up water. The Oswegatchie Fire Department in Waterford, which has special equipment, helped with the cleanup.

Richards said he expected the evacuated residents would have to stay in other facilities for at least a day or two as the cleanup continues and inspections of the facility are made. He said both the Ledge Light Health District and Groton Town building officials were notified of the incident, which was reported by residents shortly before 8 p.m.